Born in the 1994 World Cup, Turner seeks to make history for the USA in 2026

Regardless of whether he starts as a starter or not in the United States' debut against Paraguay, this Friday (12), goalkeeper Matt Turner represents the importance of the 2026 World Cup for the host country.

Turner was born on June 24, 1994, during the last edition of the World Cup held in North American territory, in a period that symbolizes the mixture of hope and frustration that has accompanied the United States team for decades.

On June 22 of that year, at the Rose Bowl - and not at SoFi Stadium, the stage for this Friday's debut, in Inglewood, California - the North Americans surprised one of the favorites for the title, Colombia, with a 2-1 victory.

Four days later, however, the team was defeated 1-0 by Romania.

Since then, the United States' trajectory in World Cups has been marked by alternations between optimism and disappointment. Turner's own situation in the national team reflects this scenario.

At the 2022 World Cup, the goalkeeper, who built his career in Major League Soccer defending the New England Revolution, became the first North American goalkeeper since 1930 to record two clean sheets in the same edition of the tournament.

However, in 2025, coach Mauricio Pochettino promoted Matt Freese to the position of starting goalkeeper for the United States, reducing Turner's space in the national team. Even so, the preparation period for the group stage has served as a direct dispute between the two goalkeepers for a place in the World Cup opener.

"There is a healthy, mutual respect between us. Regardless of the coach's final decision, we must respect it and support each other until the end," said Turner about his relationship with Freese.

Midfielder Cristian Roldan also praised his teammate's attitude.

"Freese has come on strong over the last year and a half, and it's been great to watch his evolution. But Turner has been extremely supportive of Matt Freese and the entire team, always putting the group first," said Roldan.

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World Cup veteran
Despite this, Turner's opportunities to represent the United States in major competitions, especially a World Cup, are becoming more limited.

The goalkeeper will turn 32 the day before the match against Turkey, on June 25, which ends the North American participation in the group stage. Freese and Chris Brady are 27 and 22 years old, respectively.

Even so, the fact that "the door is always ajar", as Turner defined it, is a testament to the trajectory that led him to this moment.

A graduate of Fairfield University, a small Jesuit institution, Turner stated that he followed the World Cups - including the 2014 edition in Brazil - without even imagining that one day he would wear the United States national team's shirt.

"I didn't dream of playing in a World Cup when I was at university," Turner revealed. "What always motivated me was my love and passion for football, as well as my ability to believe in myself even when other people didn't."

Belief when few believe is perhaps also the best definition for the ambitions of the North American team. The United States have not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since 2002, when they reached that stage for the only time in the last nine editions of the tournament.

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The strength of playing at home
Performing in front of your home fans at a World Cup for the first time in 32 years brings added pressure, admitted Cristian Roldan. Still, the midfielder believes that the good campaign at home has been converted into positive energy on the field.

For Roldan, this Friday's clash has an even more special meaning. Born in Artesia, California, he grew up in an area located practically the same distance from SoFi Stadium and the national team's training center in Great Park, in the city of Irvine.

"Being able to stay in my backyard is something special for me," he said. "When you grow up thinking about the future, you dream of moments like this. I'm making the most of it."

Furthermore, between the games against Paraguay and Türkiye at SoFi Stadium, Roldan will have another memorable reunion. On June 19, the United States will face Australia at Lumen Field, in Seattle, the city where the player has lived for 13 years.

Roldan played for the University of Washington and has played for the Seattle Sounders since 2015.

"I built great memories in these two cities," said the midfielder.

Now, over the next three weeks, he will have the opportunity to create new memories in both Los Angeles and Seattle.

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Source: CNN